Wellness

Soup Cleansing—And Why it’s So Good

It’s pretty well-established that we love a good cleanse. While we tend to gravitate toward longer whole foods-based detoxes, sometimes we’re inclined to juice it out for a few days, too (our favorite juice cleanses, here). But in the colder months, when our bodies crave warmth and comfort, juice at every meal isn’t very appealing. And so soup—the ultimate comfort food—makes a whole lot of sense as a wintertime alternative. (That’s one of the reasons we always include a few in our annual detox.)

Soup has other benefits, too: Since it relies primarily on vegetables rather than fruits, it’s super low on the glycemic scale, and it’s packed with fiber, which makes it pretty filling. Before digging in, we asked frequent goop contributor, Dr. Frank Lipman, for his opinion: “I feel strongly that a proper cleanse needs nutrients that support the body’s innate detoxification systems and anti-microbials to kill the “bad” guys in the gut, as those are a common source of toxicity. And soup is a good way to deliver those nutrients, as the food does not have to be digested and it’s easier on the digestive system. Just be sure you’re avoiding the common foods that trigger inflammation (gluten, dairy, soy, corn, nightshades, etc.).”

We tested out the concept with LA-Based Soupure and we’re duly impressed by their nourishing and delicious soups. Because you get to eat (rather than drink) your meals, time on the cleanse felt like any other day, rather than a trying period to get through on the path to a clearer head and increased energy. We have yet to test the others, but have heard good things.

A day on Soupure includes a combination of veggie soups, really nourishing bone broths, super hydrating alkaline water drinks, and chilled snacks. The way the cleanse is spaced out, you end up drinking or eating something every other hour, so there’s really no opportunity to feel hungry. Plus, instead of slamming a bottle of greens, we actually sat down and savored the food. The chicken bone miso broth was incredibly satisfying, the zucchini basil lunch was surprisingly hearty, and the Superhero nuts and seeds blend, which we had for breakfast, tasted better than most desserts. They have one, three, and five-day options along with a mini three-day cleanse that allows for a solid dinner. As of right now, Soupure is delivering in LA only, but has plans to start shipping soon.

Want To Try:

Each morning kicks off with a ginger-spiked kale-and-cauliflower detox and ends with a “transcendent” cucumber-melon-mint dessert (we’re super curious about this one). There’s also a carrot-curry soup that sounds really good and an afternoon pick-me-up of beets and oranges that has the potential to be delicious. What’s great: They ship everywhere in the U.S. They offer one, two, and three day packages.

The Splendid Spoon founders worked with nutritionists to develop their 100% plant-based soups. As a result, their cleanses are ideal for rejiggering not-so-great eating habits or reintroducing food into your diet after a juice cleanse. They are based out of Brooklyn but all ingredients are sourced from farms no farther than 200 miles away and their flavors are pretty inventive, too: Mushroom with steel-cut oats, kale-ginger, and butternut turmeric, to name a few. They can ship all over the country.

Soupelina’s creator Elina Fuhrman honed her vegan soup-making skills while battling cancer. Though she by no means suggests that soup cured her, it was during that time that she developed a deep respect for healthy eating. In an effort to introduce others to the healing power of soup she developed a five-soup-a-day cleanse which includes flavors like I Can’t Believe It’s Butternut and Don’t Squash My Dreams. She’ll also curate customized cleanses for those with unique dietary needs. Currently, delivery is available only in LA.

goop Detox Soups

This soup is clean and comforting. Make your own curry paste, or be sure to use one that is gluten free and shellfish free. We like Thai Kitchen brand. If you can find thai basil, use it chopped as a garnish along with the cilantro.